Besides teaching privately, I work in a music store. A new teacher started within the past year, and we had quite a few conversations at which time this teacher complained that she'd forgotten alot, had been away from teaching for over 20 years, etc., and didn't feel "fresh." Her bio was recently changed to read that she's been teaching over 25 years, which is untrue, unless she started teaching at the age of 10. I was raised in an extremely honest family, and I've tried to live my life as honestly as I can, and am greatly disturbed by this, especially since I've tried to get my bio updated for over a year to reflect that my teaching experience has increased since it was originally psoted. Parents do visit the website and view teachers' bios, so it makes sense that they would select the other teacher with 10 years more experience (?) than I have. Just wondered if this is normal practice, and if not, how I should handle it - ignore it or let management know.

I think honest is the best policy.
My bio only have the year that I started teaching, parents has to do the math themselves and I do not need to change it every year on my website.

Take the high road and let your own excellent teaching do the talking for you. Sooner or later people will find out who's the capable teacher who's not. We can only hope it's sooner rather than later.

Unfortunately, it seems that many customers (i.e., parents of students) don't take the time to find out who the capable teachers are.

I also think that you should 'take the high road' as AZNpiano says! I know that you will be bothered a lot by this lying and all that, but in the end the other teacher is hurting herself rather than you or the school. In the end the truth will be shown (Especially if she's forgotten to do the math correctly! :D)

I would say that for most people a piano teacher is a piano teacher. If three teachers charge roughly the same amount, convenience is the deciding factor. How close is the teacher? Does the teacher make up unexcused absences? Does the teacher allow late payments, or if so without an extra charge?

And so on.

I think this only changes with time, if a student gets a good teacher (or a very bad one) and finds out the truth.

I don't know why people inflate bios. Mine is in my signature.

I'm a piano teacher.

If its bothering you, I would let her know. Just say, "I saw on the website that you've been teaching for 25 years. Where have you previously taught?"

She will get the hint as she stumbles to explain and account for that amount of teaching time.

If she is getting more students because parents or students value experience in your area, you should address the issue.

This is still taking the high road because you are approaching it in a non confrontational manner.

If you have been teaching about 10 years and another teacher 25, I think most people would not infer that one was better than the other from that little bit of information.

Some might be gender biased, others age biased, other look for a schedule, some an emotional connection, professionalism, others education/degrees, I do know that with piano and skate the teachers with the strongest students and most full schedules are the ones parents seem to want.

Absolutely agree!!!

and to add: teacher mentioned in the OP could very well have started teaching at age 10....she was showing her little brother how to play the piano.... wow, some people do count those as teaching experiences.....yeesshhh.

No, I don't think it's normal practice. The music teachers I know personally and respect would never do something like that. On the contrary, it seems like the very best teachers are somewhat understated about their qualifications. You don't have to flex much when you know you've got 'em.

I don't think it would be inappropriate to let management know, as this falsehood does reflect on their company (It's on the company website, right?). But I don't think that's the route I would go. Things like that often take care of themselves.

There are some parents like this. However, in my experience (in other words in my studio) this doesn't describe most parents. I've had many parents choose the teacher (me) based on qualifications (college degree and experience) and ability to participate in statewide programs, etc.

Showing little brother a few things doesn't qualify as teaching experience, I agree.

However I do want to take the opportunity to mention that some do start this profession young. I know a teenager in my area who is teaching a limited number of piano lessons. The individual has the musicial skills and training needed, and has a mentor teacher helping. Since this young teacher is doing good teaching work with professionalism and integrity (more than some adults) shouldn't it count as teaching experience? In my opinion, absolutely!

This probably isn't the case with the teacher mentioned in the OP.

Sounds like she's counting the lapse of time as a part of her "teaching years". It sounds dishonest to me, and I think the person who suggested asking her where she taught previously isn't a bad thing to do. She's putting that out there as common knowledge, and so you should feel free to ask her. She can always refuse to answer, and then you'll have your answer.

..."I saw on the website that you've been teaching for 25 years. Where have you previously taught?"...

This shows a very nice refinement of technique. If it proves to be too refined for your colleague, you could start mentioning to others, in her hearing, that her age is, oh, say 15 years more than you know it to actually be. The right age for her statement about her teaching experience to be true.

Beyond that, I would go no further, since we know you to be a person of refinement yourself. She may be digging her grave with her own tongue, but there's no reason for you to jump in on top of her.

As a rule, it's best to take no notice of other people's delinquencies, if it's possible to stay out of it. Especially a liar. If she tells one, she'll tell a hundred. Some people will never tell the truth if a lie will serve; it gets to be a reflex. Anyway, maybe she was a young Mozart. Or Nanerl. Whatever.

Thanks for all the input. It looks like the majority feel it best not to let management know. I am going to make a point of asking about the 25 years experience, especially since she specifically told me she hadn't been teaching for over 20 years.

Since it sounds as if people don't get to post their own bios on this website, it's even possible that whoever posted it misunderstood her and that she will want to get it corrected (to give benefit of doubt).

Challenge it!

Ignoring is condoning!

It also embeds a culture of acceptance and allows frauds to get away with it. You are partly responsible for any poor teaching learners may receive.

Parents and students often do not have the confidence to challenge teachers, this is what happens in Asia, guy who pretends to be a teacher but didn't graduate from high school himself but nobody feels they can challenge them. So they get away with it, the students have a massive dis-service from this.


This leads to exploitation unhappy students and people leaving, not choosing another teacher but dumping piano completely. I've encountered a number of frauds myself, this woman who didn't even have her grade 1 but had 'dabbled' I caught her out because I had the confidence to challenge her.

Would others?

It is this sooner or later which bothers me.

Piano lessons aren't free, and I guess there is a danger zone of students. I.e. they are quite new and vulnerable, and may well leave if they get bad tuition.

I have a photo of me playing a Challon at 4 years old.

Playing that kiddies song which goes (left hand)
C C E G A A C E F F A C G G B D

Does this mean I've been playing for 36 years! Of course not its fraud pure and simple!

Sounds good. Find out more information and then decide whether or not to tell management.